To: All Michigan State Legislators,

We, the undersigned, urge you to vote NO on House Bill 5537 and instead pursue science-based regulation of powder leaf kratom. 

Michigan House Bill 5537 would make it a criminal offense to grow, sell, or distribute kratom, with penalties including jail time and significant fines. 
This sweeping prohibition includes all parts of the plant Mitragyna speciosa, not just synthetic or altered products.

Scientific Reality of Kratom:

Powder leaf kratom is not a synthetic drug—it is a botanical substance with a distinct and actively studied pharmacological profile.

Modern research has identified key compounds, including mitragynine, which:

1: Functions as a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors, meaning it interacts with the body differently than traditional opioids.

2: Engages additional systems, including adrenergic and serotonergic pathways, contributing to its unique effects profile

3: Demonstrates complex receptor activity, making it pharmacologically distinct from classical narcotics.

4: Federal agencies, including the FDA and NIH, have acknowledged that powder leaf kratom:                             

A) Contains biologically active alkaloids requiring further scientific study.

B) Is the subject of ongoing federally supported research into its mechanisms and potential applications.

C) Latest scientific studies of 2026 clearly show that there are minimal adverse affects of powder leaf kratom even at higher than normal doses. 
 
Why HB 5537 Is Not Evidence-Based Policy

1: HB 5537 does not distinguish between powder leaf kratom and concentrated or synthetic derivatives (such as 7-OH products)

2: This lack of distinction is CRITICAL. Even federal regulators have taken targeted actions toward highly concentrated or synthetic compounds, rather than banning powder leaf kratom itself.

3: By treating all forms identically, HB 5537 ignores basic pharmacological and regulatory principles.

Impact of HB 5537

If passed, HB 5537 would:

-Criminalize the possession, sale, and distribution of ALL widely used powder leaf kratom products.

-Impose misdemeanor penalties including jail time and fines up to thousands of dollars. With these penalties increasing with second offenses.

-Eliminate legal access without establishing quality control, labeling, or safety standards.

-This approach does NOT reflect modern public health strategy or scientific nuance.

 A Science-Based Alternative
Rather than prohibition, Michigan should adopt a regulatory framework aligned with current scientific understanding, including:

Age restrictions (21+)

Mandatory third-party lab testing for purity and composition
Accurate labeling of alkaloid content.

Clear distinction between: Powder leaf kratom and synthetic or highly concentrated derivatives.

Manufacturing and distribution standards: This approach directly addresses public health concerns while allowing science, not prohibition, to guide policy.

Conclusion
Michigan House Bill 5537 represents a broad criminal ban on a plant that is still under active scientific investigation.

Sound policymaking requires Precision, Scientific Evidence, and Proportionality—NOT blanket prohibition.

We urge Michigan lawmakers to:

Reject HB 5537
Support continued scientific research
Implement responsible, science-based regulation
 
Sign this petition to oppose HB 5537 and support science-driven kratom policy in Michigan.